Buy and Large

ROOMY family cars have never been so popular

WE’VE always been fans of the Citroën C3 Picasso as one of the best small family cars on the market and this update gives it a timely refresh.

From the outside, there’s a new front bumper and LED daytime running lights together with the French company’s new logo.

On the inside, meanwhile, there’s a new sat nav system that can also be specified with a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

With emissions starting from 112g/km and average fuel economy from 67.2mpg in the C3 Picasso range, there’s also a slight power increase for the flagship HDI 115 turbo-diesel model.

For all its talents, the old Mazda 6 never had the highest of profiles in the repmobile market but this latest version looks set to change all that.

PEUGEOT 2008Price: from £14,000

GIVEN Peugeot’s success with the superb 3008 crossover, the arrival of the stunning new Peugeot 2008 was only a matter of time.

Although firm details and prices have yet to be announced, the 2008 will take on the likes of the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman when it goes on sale in June.

As well as its head-turning good looks, the baby Peugeot will also boast plenty of beauty under the bonnet with emissions starting as low as 99g/km thanks to the range of new high-tech engines it has borrowed from the 208.

HYUNDAI SANTA FEPrice: from £25,495

ASKED to name some large seven-seater 4x4s, chances are you’d be quite far down the list before you got to the Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Korean off-roader might not enjoy the highest profile but the reality is that it has a strong following among owners for being a reliable family workhorse.

It’s not by mistake that so many past Santa Fes are used for towing caravans, horse boxes and trailers.

Under the bonnet is a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel, which, linked to the optional automatic gearbox, is surprisingly refined and comfortable.

Anyone trading down from a more prestige-badged 4x4 won’t be disappointed when it comes to how it feels on the road.

Better yet, with most of the range coming with four-wheel drive and seven-seats, the Santa Fe can double as a family people-carrier at the same time.

FORD B-MAXPrice: from £12,995

THE biggest news about Ford’s new B-Max is about what features it hasn’t got rather than what it has.

The B-pillars between the front and rear doors have gone, giving you incredible access to the cabin when both doors are open.

For family buyers it’s perfect for lifting car seats in and out for general loading and unloading.

The range includes Ford’s superb 1.0-litre turbo Ecoboost engine and for such a practical car, it handles well too.

Given the blue oval’s huge success with the larger C-Max, S-Max and Galaxy models, this latest baby people-carrier addition to the range sees Ford becoming a force to be reckoned with in the rapidly growing MPV world.

VAUXHALL MOKKAPrice: from £16,995

LIKE the Peugeot 2008, Vauxhall’s Mokka is looking to take advantage of the expanding small crossover market that includes the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman.

With chunky good looks, it certainly looks the part and with more than 1,300 litres of space with the rear seats folded down it’s pretty roomy.

Up to 62.8mpg is on offer in the 1.7-litre turbo-diesel Ecoflex version along with 120g/km emissions.

Unlike some of its rivals, the Mokka is available in both two and four-wheel drive.

HONDA CRVPrice: from £21,395

THIS is the fourth version of Honda’s CRV since the off-roader first arrived into showrooms in 1997. And while rivals may hog the limelight or grab attention, the British-built CRV goes on being as popular as ever among its owners.

Despite its looks, it may not be a serious 4x4 (and for the first time, you can now buy a two-wheel drive version) but the CRV boasts masses of space inside, good looks and offers improved refinement.

There’s also excellent build quality and reliability (as you’d expect from a Honda) and it drives as well on road as it always did.

MAZDA 6Price: from £19,595

FOR all its talents, the old Mazda 6 never had the highest of profiles in the repmobile market but this latest version looks set to change all that.

With the new Ford Mondeo delayed, there’s every opportunity for this new high-tech Mazda to take advantage.

Although there’s no five-door hatchback, both saloon and estate feature gorgeous styling.

With Mazda’s latest Skyactiv technology (as seen on the CX5 crossover) it can achieve 68.9mpg and 108g/km emissions. Those are some staggering statistics for a car this size.

Add that to a very polished on-road performance and this is a far better car than most company car reps deserve.